James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Property taxes, household charges, water charges and licences for televisions that people may or may not have are the new face of stealth tax in Ireland. I say this as a Government representative who resisted the imposition of one stealth tax after another by the previous Administration. My conviction that such a burden, disguised in whatever format, is not justified remains the same.

However, I must give credit, or discredit, where it is due. The reality is that we are suffering from the fraud, corruption and cover-ups perpetrated by Fianna Fáil. It is indisputable that Fianna Fáil agreed this property tax with the troika. It is responsible for imposing what the Taoiseach once described as a "vampire tax" on the people. Fianna Fáil's actions in conspiracy with some developers, builders, bankers and senior executives resulted in a meltdown that can now only be resolved by the taxpayer. Fianna Fáil might in hindsight think it is sufficient to make false claims and look innocent. However, we should make no mistake: despite the denials, it is Fianna Fáil that is picking the pockets of our citizens - not that there is much left to take. It is dreadful to look across the Chamber today and see no Member from Fianna Fáil, or indeed from Sinn Féin, present.

See this speech in context